October 03, 2011

the early October garden

feels more like August. I know, I know, we're only 3 days in but with temperatures in the mid 80's it's hard to believe the calendar. Even tho I'd rather pretend it's going to be Indian summer until December, I'm realistic enough to proceed with the season. Mums have been added to the tall urns at the end of the yew allee:

White rope lights were also added on either side of the yew pathway to illuminate it at night. It looks like a runway out there after dark!

Pumpkins have been scattered hither & yon:

and phase II of the back garden redesign has commenced! The first part of this phase is adding more raised bed area to the north side of the yard.

You can see a bit of exposed soil on the right side of the above photo. Someone besides me is excited by the excavating ~ our Lhasa, Butterball! I caught him jumping out of the newly dug bed:

After he landed he stopped and looked at me as if to say "Who me?? I would never get in there!!"

Ha! We know better, don't we?!!! :-)

As you also know, the garden is full of surprises ~ today it was a primula bloom I would never have dreamed possible:

'Pubescens' blooms in spring but it's never repeated in the fall before. I have no idea why, but beauty of this caliber is not to be questioned!

I planted this one in the container (veggie) bed and am lovin' the raspberry pink color.

David Austins 'Abraham Darby' is beginning a third flush of blooms! Bloom on Abe ~ it's a rose that could bloom year 'round and I'd still never tire of it:

If you grow it, you know it smells every bit as delicious as it looks.

A new plant to the garden surprised me pleasantly by blooming non-stop since mid summer ~ Gaura lindheimeri 'Passionate Rainbow:'

I didn't think it could get better until Nicotiana alata 'lime green' took off ~ the combination is really lovely. To think when I bought it, I really didn't care if it bloomed at all ~ I just liked the foliage so much!

The end of the week is supposed to usher in a cool front and some rain. I knew the heat couldn't last but we're trying to enjoy it as much as possible before it ends. The garden has been such a joy this year ~ totally worth all the hard work. The only question I ask myself is "what took so long to do it??!!"

Kathleen girl that was too funny with your little dog(who looks so sweet!)The temps there are high .. we have had days of cloudy cool rain .. which has been great for the garden .. but starting tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny and beautiful .. so I might get some garden missions done!
I really love that aster in burgundy/raspberry ? I want it too ! LOL
hey .. enjoy the rest you get with the rain days girl : )
Joy

Your urns look so pretty. Girl I love the green ball. Your Gaura is so pretty too. Mine still hasn't bloomed. Maybe next year. Butterball was probably thinking" I wonder if she saw that and is she going to yell at me" LOL! Such a cute little doggy.

I am so jealous of your August type weather! We have been chilly and damp forever and it's getting on my nerves! The next few days are supposed to be a big improvement, but I'll be working too much to enjoy it.

Hi Kathleen, We are shy of 80 degree temperatures here but still we had a lovely warm day here with a clear blue sky, so I won't complain. I like all your fall touches. Isn't it a nice surprise to have a primula bloom in fall? The raspberry aster is especially pretty!

Kathleen your weather sounds like mine in Northern California. A beautiful garden you have for sure and decorating with pumpkins has certainly inspired me. Great posts on your fantastic yard, I will return often. Thanks